Daily briefing
Current Affairs — 11 August 2026
The day's source-attributed current affairs for UPSC, organized for fast revision.
Articles from 11 August 2026
- PM SVANidhi scheme impacts: credit access, digital payments and socio-economic linkagesPIB update on PM SVANidhi’s credit reach, digital payments incentives, and welfare linkages up to 12 July 2026 based on ISB impact studies.Read analysis →
- Framework to balance electricity financial sustainability and consumer affordability under Electricity Act, 2003; Draft National Electricity Policy 2026Draft National Electricity Policy, 2026 proposes tariff design and cost pass-through mechanisms to balance distribution sector financial sustainability with consumer affordability under the Electricity Act, 2003.Read analysis →
- Status of National Rivers Interlinking Programme (ILR)PIB reports the current status of all 30 inter-basin river linking projects under India’s National Perspective Plan, including implementation progress on the Ken–Betwa link.Read analysis →
- Asiatic Lion population increases from 523 (2015) to 891 (2025); Minister cites conservation effortsEnvironment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced Asiatic lion numbers rising from 523 (2015) to 891 (2025) and cited Project Lion’s habitat and disease management work.Read analysis →
- Implementation and Impact of the National Credit Framework (NCrF)UGC notified a Standard Operating Procedure for operationalising the National Credit Framework (NCrF) in higher education, alongside NCrF-based rules for creditisation, recognition of prior learning, and mobility across education streams.Read analysis →
- SC timelines for in-service teachers to acquire TET qualification under RTE Act extendedSupreme Court extended the in-service teachers’ timeline to acquire TET qualification under the RTE Act from 31 August 2027 to 31 August 2028.Read analysis →
- MoE: HEIs’ progress in NIRF ranking and education quality initiativesMinistry of Education cited NIRF participation growth and multiple higher-education quality and employability initiatives in a Lok Sabha reply.Read analysis →
- DISCOMs digitalisation: Progress under RDSS with smart metering, SCADA/DMS and IT/OT (India Energy Stack)A Rajya Sabha reply by the Ministry of Power reports DISCOM digitalisation progress under RDSS, including smart metering, SCADA/DMS, and IT/OT (India Energy Stack).Read analysis →
- Assessment of Skill Development Initiatives under Skill India Mission (PMKVY, JSS, NAPS, CTS)MSDE under the Skill India Mission reported third-party evaluation results for PMKVY 4.0, JSS, and NAPS (PMNAPS-2) and provided scheme-wise training/apprenticeship figures for 2019–20 to 2026–27 (as on 30.06.2026).Read analysis →
- MSDE redesigns PMKVY courses for new-age skills under PMKVY 4.0MSDE redesigned PMKVY 4.0 to expand “new-age and futuristic” skill courses and shift outcomes toward employability via On-the-Job Training.Read analysis →
- Implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and related reformsThe Ministry of Education outlines NEP 2020 higher-education implementation actions through frameworks and digital mechanisms such as NCrF, NHEQF, ABC, and APAAR ID.Read analysis →
- Jitendra Singh seeks enhanced private sector participation in India’s biotechnology ecosystem through BIRAC-RDIFBIRAC-RDIF is being operationalised through proposal calls, a dedicated e-portal, and linkages with GCCs, CSR channels, and startup-investor matching.Read analysis →
- Ministry of Minority Affairs’ leadership and capacity-building programmes for minority women in OdishaUnion Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju stated in the Rajya Sabha that minority women in Odisha can benefit from Nai Roshni and the umbrella scheme PM VIKAS.Read analysis →
- PLFS introduced methodological improvements over earlier EUS; strengthened for more frequent estimates from Jan 2025MoSPI strengthened the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) from January 2025 to enable monthly all-India and quarterly rural-urban labour force estimates, alongside annual estimates.Read analysis →
- PAIMANA & Performance Monitoring Dashboard: data-driven monitoring of Central infrastructure projectsMoSPI launched the PAIMANA web platform in 2025 and expanded it with the PAIMANA-CRIP module and a Performance Monitoring Dashboard by 2026 to track Central infrastructure projects and outcomes using an indicator framework aligned to the DEA’s HML (2022).Read analysis →
- Parliament Question: Green India Mission targets eco-restoration; Nagar Van Yojana to expand urban green coverLok Sabha was informed that the Green India Mission has brought 1,84,467 hectares under eco-restoration and that Nagar Van Yojana targets 600 Nagar Vans and 400 Nagar Vatikas (2020-21 to 2026-27).Read analysis →
- MSDE/NCVET, DGT expand AI-based vocational training under PMKVY 4.0 and NCVET ecosystemMSDE, through NCVET and DGT, expanded AI-based vocational skilling under PMKVY 4.0 and the NCVET ecosystem and reported certification/training figures as of 30.06.2026.Read analysis →
- NABL launches India’s first accreditation scheme for mobile food testing laboratoriesNABL (QCI constituent board) launched India’s first Accreditation Scheme for Mobile Food Testing Laboratories under the Integrated Assessment Programme to expand quality-assured food testing closer to communities.Read analysis →
- Centre reviews PM-YASASVI implementation in Maharashtra; corrective steps to improve scholarship coverageMinistry of Social Justice and Empowerment reviews PM-YASASVI scholarship delivery in Maharashtra after low coverage and disbursal delays.Read analysis →
- SMILE scheme: 2,824 children identified, rescued and rehabilitated since Oct 2023SMILE scheme covers child identification, rescue and rehabilitation, starting 23 October 2023; Government reports 2,824 children assisted as on 30 June 2026 across 216 cities/towns in 33 States/UTs.Read analysis →
- Lok Sabha reply on removal of invasive alien plant species in reserved forestsMoEFCC told Lok Sabha that Forest Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, and National Biodiversity Authority support invasive alien plant management in reserved forests, with States/UTs implementing on-ground actions.Read analysis →
- MoHUA promotes GIS-based urban planning and digital Master Plans under AMRUT/AMRUT 2.0MoHUA is advancing GIS-based urban planning and digital Master Plans under AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0, with geospatial databases integrated into the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.Read analysis →
- New-Age Skills Focus under PMKVY 4.0: Training Numbers and Funds ReleasedMSDE reported State/UT-wise PMKVY training numbers and fund release for PMKVY 4.0, including new-age courses and inclusion support up to 30.06.2026.Read analysis →
- PM-SETU: Upgradation of 1,000 ITIs and Capacity Augmentation of NSTIs for Industry-aligned SkillingPM-SETU plans upgrading 1,000 Government ITIs (200 hub and 800 spoke) and enhancing capacity of 5 NSTIs over five years.Read analysis →
- NAVYA programme to be expanded to 100 aspirational districts under PMKVY 4.0The NAVYA programme under PMKVY 4.0 will expand to 100 aspirational districts from 27 May 2026, with mandatory holistic development and OJT-focused skilling for adolescent girls.Read analysis →
- CGWB estimates groundwater resources, extraction stage (2025) and shares groundwater quality findings; measures for improvement including NAQUIM, JJM, Jal Shakti Abhiyan and water-body rejuvenationCGWB’s Dynamic Ground Water Resources Assessment (2025) estimates national recharge, extractable resources, groundwater extraction stage and highlights groundwater-quality monitoring findings, with added water-quality and recharge measures under major Central schemes.Read analysis →
- Ministry of Culture promotes Indian classical dances in schools under NEP 2020 via CCRT and Sangeet Natak AkademiMinistry of Culture uses CCRT and Sangeet Natak Akademi to promote Indian classical dances in schools and runs scholarships under NEP 2020-aligned programmes.Read analysis →
- TRAI initiates phase-wise use of 1601-series for service and transactional calls by non-BFSI and non-Government entitiesTRAI has directed phase-wise use of 1601-series numbers for service and transactional voice calls by non-BFSI and non-Government entities, beginning with Utilities and Logistics/courier sectors within 90 days.Read analysis →
- NCRB data and government measures to prevent student suicides; MANODARPAN, counselling in schools, UGC guidelines, and Tele-MANASMinistry of Education reported NCRB-based student suicide causes and multiple counselling and mental-health supports across schools, HEIs, coaching centres, and tele-mental services (Tele-MANAS/MANAS Cells).Read analysis →
- Allocation of Foodgrains under PM-POSHAN (Central assistance and state-wise/district-wise figures)Ministry of Education and Food Corporation of India provide PM-POSHAN foodgrains through Programme Approval Board-approved bi-annual allocations and FCI-linked supply and quality checks.Read analysis →